The '''First Age''' describes the events near the beginning of time. Also known as the '''[[Elder Days]]''' the First Age saw the creation of the [[races]] of [[Arda]], their flourishing in [[Valinor]] and [[Beleriand]], their feats against [[Morgoth]] and eventualy overthrow by the combined armies of [[Valar]], [[Elves]] and [[Edain]].

The '''First Age''' describes the events near the beginning of time. Also known as the '''[[Elder Days]]''' the First Age saw the creation of the [[races]] of [[Arda]], their flourishing in [[Valinor]] and [[Beleriand]], their feats against [[Morgoth]] and eventualy overthrow by the combined armies of [[Valar]], [[Elves]] and [[Edain]].

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==Definition==

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When exactly the First Age began is not clear and perhaps it was not defined by the chronicles. Possible beginnings of the First Age must have been the creation of [[Arda]] itself; the creation of the [[Two Trees]] which also kept [[Valian Years|track of time]]; or the [[Awakening of the Elves]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "First Age"</ref>

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When exactly the First Age begun is not clear and perhaps it was not defined by the chronicles. Possible beginnings of the First Age must have been the creation of [[Arda]] itself; the creation of the [[Two Trees]] which also kept [[Valian Years|track of time]]; or the [[Awakening of the Elves]]. With the creation of the [[Moon]] and [[Sun]], the time was measured with the [[coranar]].

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With the creation of the [[Moon]] and [[Sun]], the time was measured with the [[coranar]].

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The chronicles describe primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered around a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the [[Noldor]] and the [[Three Houses]] of the [[Edain]], against the armies of [[Angband]] and the evil [[Men]]. There had been Elves in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and [[Morgoth]] had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth. The wars had actually begun before the creation of the Sun, but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Noldor in Beleriand.

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==History==

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The chronicles describe events before the creation of the Elves: Arda was inhabited by the [[Ainur]] who shaped the earth and [[First War with Melkor|waged war]]. Eventually the [[Valar]] retreated to [[Valinor]] to the [[West]], and created the [[Two Trees]] that gave light to the world and also kept track of time (see: [[Years of the Trees]]). The Awakening of the Elves followed, and they were invited by the Valar to the West, while some remained in [[Middle-earth]]. The Trees died by the actions of [[Morgoth]] the [[Enemy]] who fled to [[Angband]].

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The chief battles of the First Age are:

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The known events of the First Age were centered around a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the [[Noldor]] (who returned from Valinor) and the [[Three Houses]] of the [[Edain]] (Men who also migrated westwards), against the armies of [[Angband]]. The Elves in Beleriand sought merely to exist, and [[Morgoth]] had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.

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* The [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars'', so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Noldor encampment in [[Hithlum]], but the Elves drove it back. [[F&euml;anor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.

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* The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Noldor, and again with no success. The Ñoldor became so bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable.

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Soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars'', so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought. [[Feanor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the [[Wars of Beleriand]], after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.

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* The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Noldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.

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* The [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (''Unnumbered Tears'') was the first battle to be initiated by the Noldor. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of [[B&oacute;r]] and [[Ulfang]] allied to the Sons of F&euml;anor. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. The name "Unnumbered Tears" comes from the destruction of the Elves' last hope of victory. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of F&euml;anor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith.

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The most important event of the Age was perhaps the creation of the Moon and Sun by the Valar, and with them, the awakening of [[Men]], the Younger Children of [[Eru]]. Like the Eldar before them, they started to migrate to the [[West]], but most remained in the [[East]], in [[Rhovanion]] and [[Eriador]].

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* The [[War of Wrath]] took place after [[E&auml;rendil]] sailed to Valinor and persuaded the [[Valar]] to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army composed of [[Maiar]], [[Vanyar]], and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The [[Teleri]] refused their aid, due to an old offense dealt them by the Ñoldor of Beleriand, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably [[Ancalagon]] the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of [[Arda]], but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.

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==Definition==

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75 years after the first battle, Morgoth again attacked the Noldor, and again with no success. The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') made the Ñoldor so bold as to [[Siege of Angband|besiege Angband]]. Within the first century since the arrival of the Noldor, the settlements of [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]], [[Gondolin]], [[Nargothrond]] and [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] were built.

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There is a belief that the term "First Age" refers to the period between the first rising of the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] until the beginning of the [[Second Age]]. According to that definition, the 'proper' First Age lasted only c. 600 years, the smallest of all. However in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien mentioned that the First Age was the longest, signifying therefore that the term "First Age" encompasses at least the [[Years of the Trees]] as well.

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It was during the [[Long Peace]], in the 4th century after the arrival of the Noldor, when some Men (the [[Edain]]) reached Beleriand eager to find the "Gods" as they believed, and entered the service of the Eldar. The [[Forest of Brethil]] was given to the [[House of Haleth]] and [[Dor-lómin]] to the [[House of Hador]].

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However, the Siege of Angband was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable. Indeed in the 5th century, Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Noldorin armies. The green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. It was in the years following that battle when the Man [[Beren]] rescued a [[Silmaril]] for the Elven King [[Elu Thingol]].

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The Noldor initiated a battle for a first time. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]] allied to the [[Sons of Feanor]]. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. Τhe battle became known thereafter as [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (''Unnumbered Tears'') from the destruction of the Elves' last hope of victory. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of Feanor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith. Realms such as the [[Falas]] were destroyed. The [[Havens of Sirion]] were constructed as a hidden refuge.

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The [[War of Wrath]] took place after [[Eärendil]] sailed to Valinor and persuaded the [[Valar]] to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army composed of [[Maiar]], [[Vanyar]], and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The [[Teleri]] refused their aid, due to an old offense dealt them by the Ñoldor of Beleriand, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably [[Ancalagon]] the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of [[Arda]], but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.

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==Terminology==

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In the [[Appendix B]] and the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'' [[Tolkien]] never gives First Age dates. In works such as ''[[The Annals of Aman]]'' Tolkien measures the First Age with [[Valian Years]] (VY) and then [[Years of the Sun]] (YS).

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[[Robert Foster]] among other [[Tolkienist]]s attempted to chronicle the First Age; by convention these sources use the Years of the Sun as "First Age" keeping a format similar to Appendix B. For example the [[First Age 20|twentieth Year of the Sun]] is referred to as I 20 or F.A. 20. [[Tolkien Gateway]] also uses this format. Foster admits that the definition YS 1 would be more accurate than FA 1<ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', Appendix A, p. 436</ref>.

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This convention however creates the [[Misconceptions#Definition_of_First_Age.3B_Third_Age_.22of_the_Sun.22|ambiguation]] that F.A. 1 was the first year of the First Age, or its beginning, marked as such by the first sunrise. This led to the [[fanon]] term "Ages of the Sun" and the misconception that the Ages measured from the first rising of the Sun. According to that definition, the First Age 'proper' followed the [[Years of the Trees]] and lasted only c. 600 years until the [[Second Age 1|beginning]] of the [[Second Age]].

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However Tolkien's division of the history of Arda uses the term "[[Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar]]" not "of the Sun". Furthermore, in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien mentioned that the First Age was the longest, signifying therefore that the term "First Age" expands before the first rising of the Sun.

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{{references}}

[[Category:Ages]]

[[Category:Ages]]

[[de:Das Erste Zeitalter]]

[[de:Das Erste Zeitalter]]

[[fr:encyclo/chronologie/premier_age]]

[[fr:encyclo/chronologie/premier_age]]

[[fi:Ensimmäinen Aika]]

[[fi:Ensimmäinen Aika]]

Revision as of 12:56, 13 September 2013

The First Age describes the events near the beginning of time. Also known as the Elder Days the First Age saw the creation of the races of Arda, their flourishing in Valinor and Beleriand, their feats against Morgoth and eventualy overthrow by the combined armies of Valar, Elves and Edain.

Contents

Definition

When exactly the First Age began is not clear and perhaps it was not defined by the chronicles. Possible beginnings of the First Age must have been the creation of Arda itself; the creation of the Two Trees which also kept track of time; or the Awakening of the Elves.[1]

With the creation of the Moon and Sun, the time was measured with the coranar.

History

The chronicles describe events before the creation of the Elves: Arda was inhabited by the Ainur who shaped the earth and waged war. Eventually the Valar retreated to Valinor to the West, and created the Two Trees that gave light to the world and also kept track of time (see: Years of the Trees). The Awakening of the Elves followed, and they were invited by the Valar to the West, while some remained in Middle-earth. The Trees died by the actions of Morgoth the Enemy who fled to Angband.

The known events of the First Age were centered around a series of wars waged by the Sindar, the Noldor (who returned from Valinor) and the Three Houses of the Edain (Men who also migrated westwards), against the armies of Angband. The Elves in Beleriand sought merely to exist, and Morgoth had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the Sons of Fëanor, had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.

Soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle under the Stars, so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought. Feanor was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.

The most important event of the Age was perhaps the creation of the Moon and Sun by the Valar, and with them, the awakening of Men, the Younger Children of Eru. Like the Eldar before them, they started to migrate to the West, but most remained in the East, in Rhovanion and Eriador.

However, the Siege of Angband was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the Ered Engrin, and was unapproachable. Indeed in the 5th century, Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Noldorin armies. The green plain of Ard-galen had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called Anfauglith, the Choking Dust; and the highlands of Dorthonion, which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable. The Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame) began. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. It was in the years following that battle when the Man Beren rescued a Silmaril for the Elven King Elu Thingol.

The Noldor initiated a battle for a first time. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of Bór and Ulfang allied to the Sons of Feanor. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. Τhe battle became known thereafter as Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Unnumbered Tears) from the destruction of the Elves' last hope of victory. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of Feanor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith. Realms such as the Falas were destroyed. The Havens of Sirion were constructed as a hidden refuge.

The War of Wrath took place after Eärendil sailed to Valinor and persuaded the Valar to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army composed of Maiar, Vanyar, and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The Teleri refused their aid, due to an old offense dealt them by the Ñoldor of Beleriand, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably Ancalagon the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of Arda, but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.

Robert Foster among other Tolkienists attempted to chronicle the First Age; by convention these sources use the Years of the Sun as "First Age" keeping a format similar to Appendix B. For example the twentieth Year of the Sun is referred to as I 20 or F.A. 20. Tolkien Gateway also uses this format. Foster admits that the definition YS 1 would be more accurate than FA 1[2].

This convention however creates the ambiguation that F.A. 1 was the first year of the First Age, or its beginning, marked as such by the first sunrise. This led to the fanon term "Ages of the Sun" and the misconception that the Ages measured from the first rising of the Sun. According to that definition, the First Age 'proper' followed the Years of the Trees and lasted only c. 600 years until the beginning of the Second Age.

However Tolkien's division of the history of Arda uses the term "Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar" not "of the Sun". Furthermore, in The Peoples of Middle-earth, Tolkien mentioned that the First Age was the longest, signifying therefore that the term "First Age" expands before the first rising of the Sun.